15 Best Denim Jackets For Men

When spring time rolls around, there’s one piece of outerwear that should still remain in your rotation. Its roots, like most iconic styles, run deep. And the styling potential, like most iconic styles, is definitely high. It’s not the essential navy blazer, nor is it something like a slim cardigan — we’re talking about the denim jacket.

It’s a style that’s endured for so many decades thanks to plain old utility, toughness and wearability. The denim jacket traces its roots back to workwear and the old West, yet it’s retained a modern aura and has been adopted in part by every generation of style aficionados and rebels. Its associated with rugged cool, and it’s seemingly weathered bad style trends through the years (namely, the ‘70s and ‘80s). It’ the rare unifying piece that’s perfect for the changing seasons — it breaks in like your favorite pair of jeans, and looks just as great with time and care. It’s also a universally accepted style in a way that few pieces of clothing are. Case in point: You can find ‘em nowadays on everyone from modern-day fashion heroes like Daniel Craig to down-to-earth rockers the world over.

Typically crafted to fit slimmer and hit above the waist, the best denim jackets are rugged, tough and seemingly convey practiced nonchalance. That’s why they look so great over everything from a classic white oxford to a rugged henley. They even manage to mimic a great navy overcoat when cut right; in short, they’re the perfect way to switch up your everyday work look, and an even better option to throw on when heading out on the town after. But where to start with a jacket that’s got so much history? We’re taking the guesswork out of buying a denim jacket for you with this handy guide.

Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket in Cone Mills Selvage

When we talk about denim jackets that break in like your favorite jeans, this is perhaps the jacket we’re talking about. Cone Mills selvage is the hallmark of a great pair of denim in its own right, so turning that same hard-wearing fabric into an excellent, inky-blue denim jacket makes perfect sense, especially from the fine folks at Taylor Stitch. Doing it in America ups the ante even further, and only ensures even better quality. The custom copper buttons add a touch of refinement to a tough 13.5-oz. denim jacket that’s truly built for the long haul and beyond. – Shop Now

Flint and Tinder Denim Trucker Jacket

The Flint and Tinder brand, dreamt up by the good folks at Huckberry, really needs no introduction, but if you’re not yet accustomed to the quality, classic basics on offer, the brand’s Denim Trucker Jacket is a great place to start. The perfect transitional layer for early fall and beyond, this rugged take on the denim jacket will pair up perfectly with pieces as simple as a heather grey tee, tan chinos and your favorite moc toe boots. That’s winning seasonal style, if you ask us. – Shop Now

Todd Snyder Made in Los Angeles Denim Jacket

Is it any wonder that a designer who’s made it his mission to update American style can also churn out classic pieces like the all-American denim jacket? That’s Todd Snyder’s whole mission, and it shines through with the standout Made in Los Angeles Denim Jacket, a slim and slightly refined update to your favorite denim jacket. Crafted from exceedingly rare Cone Mills denim, this jacket should be styled with black jeans and a white henley for your next fall bar crawl. – Shop Now

Levi’s Trucker Denim Jacket

The brand that revolutionized the denim jean has also, unsurprisingly, taken that same approach to crafting a rugged, timeless and eternally stylish denim jacket. Cut in a crisp, edgy silhouette and featuring distinctive touches like the small red pocket logo patch, this trim denim jacket is an easygoing fall layering essential. Pair it with grey denim and tan moc toe boots for a quick fall weekend coffee run, or wear it with a sharp white Oxford, tan chinos and brown leather dress shoes in place of a blazer — with a brand like Levi’s, it’s easy to do it all. – Shop Now

Tom Ford Denim Jacket

In recent years, Mr. Tom Ford has taken on seemingly every category across menswear and men’s grooming, including the denim jacket — yes, the lauded designer known the world over for beautiful, expertly tailored suits and formalwear can also make a heck of a casual coat. Made with indigo-dyed cotton for a lived-in look and feel that’ll only get better with time, pocket detailing and rich fabric make this a bold choice when worn with a crisp white tee, slim black jeans and tan Chelsea boots — Tom Ford would be proud. – Shop Now

Gap Icon Denim Jacket

GAP is among a host of brands that continue to stick to the basics — in the best way possible — when it comes to easygoing, everyday style. The Icon Denim Jacket, in a pleasing shade of indigo, is the perfect layering choice when it comes to throwing on a grab-and-go piece over your favorite henley (plus tan chinos and rugged moc toe leather boots). It’s reasonably priced and made to last; if we were you, we’d wear it with dark black denim from GAP, plus a crisp white T-shirt and classic high-top sneakers — now that’s a style move that no one can argue with. – Shop Now

Tommy Hilfiger Classic Denim Jacket

Retro style is all the rage these days, and what better brand to channel that style than the iconic Tommy Hilfiger? Cut in a classic fit to pair with straight leg chinos and white leather sneakers, this denim jacket is destined to be a new fall layering favorite. We’d wear it with a grey crewneck sweater and black denim for go-to everyday style — the indigo color calls to mind 90’s style in a way that’s not overpowering. To us, it sounds like the Classic Denim Jacket belongs in your rotation for fall, and well beyond that. – Shop Now

Patagonia Men’s Steel Forge Denim Jacket

Since when does Patagonia make a jacket that can compete with the best of ‘em? Since right now, that’s when. The Steel Forge Denim Jacket blends the best of workwear inspiration with cool and classic style, and they throw in a touch of rugged functionality, too. That’s evident in the use of both sustainable organic cotton and Dyneema fabric, for a tough outer layer that’ll wear well with your favorite chore pants and broken-in hiking boots for a chilly Saturday hike. The fact that you can wear it to a brewpub afterward and still look great? That’s just icing on the cake. – Shop Now

American Apparel Denim Jacket

From the unique front pocket detailing to the agreeable price and quality production, American Apparel makes a heck of a stylish, easygoing denim jacket to add to your repertoire. It should come as no surprise, seeing as denim is one of the bedrocks of the company. This crisp denim jacket is a stone-cold classic, able to pair with tobacco chinos and crisp white sneakers for standout early fall style. We say you should go with the Light Wash, for a striking and unique ensemble to step out from the pack. Your average denim jacket, this is not. – Shop Now

Carhartt Denim Jean Jacket

Can a more traditionally oriented workwear company like Carhartt make a jean jacket? Assuredly. One that’s stylish, tough and functional? Definitely. This denim jacket features all the rugged construction you’d expect from the brand, perfect for pairing up with key fall base pieces like a light blue chambray shirt or a tough henley. It’s a no-frills denim jacket that’d be ideal to wear to a football tailgate (slide it on over an American-made zip hoodie) or to wear to do, well, actual work. That’s what Carhartt does, after all — get yourself a jacket that can keep up. – Shop Now

L.L. Bean Signature Denim Field Coat

As you might expect, L.L. Bean offers up a decidedly rugged and functional take on the denim jacket — think more all-American, field-ready style as opposed to the type of denim jacket you can wear downtown to a rock show. Featuring a deep indigo dye that should break in quite well over time, this handsome,old-school jacket is packed with utility pockets for your everyday carry essentials. The slim-yet-mobile fit is also to be applauded — you can wear this to haul brush or to haul yourself to your favorite bar (we kid, we kid). – Shop Now

Frank Denim Jacket

What’s the best possible pairing for your slim Mavi jeans? Why, a Mavi jean jacket — naturally. Made from an easy-to-layer 11oz. Cotton denim in a uniquely rich and textured deep blue indigo color, we think this denim jacket is a surefire option to layer up with slim grey denim and a white pocket tee — it’s really that simple when you start with a stylish piece of outerwear. Don’t forget — it also features one percent stretch, making it both comfortable and travel-ready. – Shop Now

WP Standard Denim Jacket

There’s sometimes no need to mess with the classics. Such is the case with the WP Standard Denim Jacket, a favorite of ours for its hard-wearing construction, slim fit and edgy-yet-polished vibe. From the zig-zag placket stitching to the custom buttons to the athletic silhouette, it’s a beauty of a denim jacket, as suitable for wearing to see your favorite band as it is to wear to the office with a crisp Oxford shirt, slim chinos and brown leather Oxfords. The Cone Mills denim and USA-made production are two factors that are increasingly hard to find nowadays, and it’s but one of the many reasons why we seriously dig this jacket. – Shop Now

Pedal Ed Denim Adventure Jacket

With a design more fitting of a mountain parka, the Pedal Ed Denim Adventure Jacket is a unique addition to this list, merging classic Japanese Denim with a rugged silhouette. It’s rainproof, and features added small details like a chest pocket with a waterproof zipper (crucial for your everyday carry) plus a handy hood and front flap pockets. In short, it’s’ absolutely the sort of jacket that you’ll find yourself reaching for as you head out for park hikes, day trips or camping weekends — not to mention a chilly morning commute. It’s one jacket you won’t want to take off. – Shop Now

Acne Studios Mid Blue Denim Jacket

Clean, classic and minimal are all the right words to describe Acne Studios, and that’s also the case with the brand’s Mid Blue Denim Jacket, a well-made and rich addition to any fall or winter wardrobe. We could see this jacket being layered perfectly under a camel topcoat when chilly weather really starts to hit, and until then, it’ll do just fine when styled right now with chore pants, rugged leather boots and your favorite henley. It’s a versatile jacket that can be dressed up or down — kind of like a cooler version of your favorite blazer. – Shop Now

Beau Hayhoe is a menswear PR pro and freelance style writer based in Brooklyn, NY. An alumnus of Michigan State University, Beau also runs and edits The Style Guide, a personal menswear blog. Beau writes regularly for several online publications, and his work has also appeared on Dappered and Genteel Flair. He can often be found shopping or enjoying a great craft brew around NYC.